In 1984 Tom began to study Chinese medicine and the internal styles of Chinese martial arts. He competed in full-contact Tournaments in New York's Chinatown and tied for first place as Co-Champion in the Senior Instructor Division at the 1st National Arnis Championships in Cebu, Philippines, in 1979. A Black Belt in Isshin Kempo at 17, he went on to study Filipino martial arts while completing a BA in East Asian studies at Columbia University. Tom Bisio began his study of the martial arts and Oriental medicine studying karate at age 14.
